(TORONTO, ON): The National Basketball League of Canada is pleased to welcome new Commissioner Pail Riley to the league.

Riley is a Toronto native who practises sports, entertainment, and media law with selected criminal defence work.

His client list has included Pulitzer Prize winning writers, television stars, professional sports leagues, and numerous media companies.

A former television journalist, he spent eight years working as a reporter and news anchor for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and has appeared on on CNN, among other major networks.

Mr. Riley has a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School, his Bachelor's Degree from Dalhousie University, and a Journalism Diploma from Humber College. He also played for the Dalhousie University men's basketball team where he was team captain from 1987 through 1990.

Said Riley: "The National Basketball League of Canada is a league filled with talented players and passionate owners. It is with great honour that I join forces with them to further grow and develop our league. In just two short years, the teams in the NBL Canada have firmly entrenched themselves in the cities and communities they call home, and I am confident that we are just getting started. I look forward to the upcoming exciting season and the bright, bright future of the National Basketball League of Canada!"

The National Basketball League of Canada (NBLC) was founded in 2011, and is Canada's only professional domestic basketball league. There are currently 10 teams, with two divisions: Central and Atlantic. The NBLC is committed to being one of the leading professional basketball leagues in the world. The NBLC provides Canadian athletes, international athletes, coaches and officials the opportunity to participate in the game they love at the professional level. The NBLC is also dedicated to raising awareness of the sport of basketball throughout Canada, by providing fans with an exciting and entertaining experience.